Category: Blaze Media
Trump mocks Tim Walz for dropping re-election campaign after fraud allegations — then accuses other Democrats
President Donald Trump responded with a scathing statement to a report that the 2024 failed Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was considering dropping out of his re-election campaign. Walz later confirmed he was dropping out.
Walz has been dogged by accusations of obstruction in the investigation into government relief and welfare fraud in the Somali community in Minnesota. He has denied any involvement and claimed that his administration has tried to investigate the schemes.
‘I feel certain the facts will come out, and they will reveal a seriously unscrupulous, and rich, group of ‘SLIMEBALLS.’ … NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!’
The president mocked Walz and named other Democrats he believes are also guilty of crimes, including Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
“Minnesota’s Corrupt Governor will possibly leave office before his Term is up but, in any event, will not be running again because he was caught, REDHANDED, along with Ilhan Omar, and others of his Somali friends, stealing Tens of Billions of Taxpayer Dollars,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“I feel certain the facts will come out, and they will reveal a seriously unscrupulous, and rich, group of ‘SLIMEBALLS.’ Governor Walz has destroyed the State of Minnesota,” he added.
He went on to accuse California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, all Democrats, of more dishonesty and incompetency.
“NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!” he added.
Walz said Monday that he would be unable to put all his effort into a re-election campaign that would have meant a third term, if he had won.
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“Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences,” he wrote. “So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.”
One poll found that Walz had a disapproval rating of 48%, and over 69% of respondents said that he needed to do more to stop fraud in Minnesota.
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‘Frankenstein’ director’s AI warning: It’s here to ‘debase’ our humanity
Art created by artificial intelligence is an attempt to reduce a society’s sense of humanity, according to one Hollywood director.
This sort of treatment of art is “always a prelude to fascism,” the director also warned.
‘That is always the prelude to fascism.’
No ifs, ands, or bots
While accepting an honor from Variety at its 10 Directors to Watch and Creative Impact Awards, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro continued his recent onslaught against the use of artificial intelligence for art.
“Be kind, be involved, and believe in your art,” del Toro said, emphasizing that when art is minimalized, bad times are ahead.
“In a time where people tell you art is not important, that is always the prelude to fascism. Always. When they tell you it doesn’t matter, when they tell you a f**king app can do art, you say, ‘Well, if it’s that easy and if it’s that unimportant, why the f**k do they want it so bad?'”
The director answered his own question, warning that the reduction of art to a line of code removes a certain degree of humanity.
“The answer is because they think they can debase everything that makes us a little better, a little more human. And that, in my book and in my life, includes monsters.”
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Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Monster high
Del Toro’s tirade came on the heels of similar remarks last month at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards, where he made a point of announcing that his widely praised “Frankenstein” was “willfully made by humans for humans.”
After praising the movie’s “designers, builders, makeup, [and] wardrobe” teams, the director paused and added, “F**k AI.”
The 61-year-old — one of the most prominent Hollywood power players to speak out against the dangers of AI — also hinted at why he prefers to work in the horror/fantasy genre: “Sometimes the world gets so complicated, you can only explain it with the power of monsters.”
“We are in a time like that right now,” he added.
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‘Death’ wish
Despite his anti-AI stance, del Toro is far from a techno-phobe.
In 2023, he praised Japanese video game auteur Hideo Kojima’s “paradoxical creation” and his ability to “break the barrier between cinema and games.”
Del Toro appears as the character Deadman in Kojima’s 2019 game “Death Stranding,” as well as its 2025 sequel.
DHS accuses Hilton Hotels of ‘siding with murderers and rapists’ over ICE — and the hotel chain responds
The Department of Homeland Security has publicly called out Hilton Hotels over what DHS says was an organized act of obstruction against immigration enforcement.
The agency posted screenshots showing the well-known hotel chain had “maliciously” canceled reservations for DHS officials at a Minneapolis-area location.
‘Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?’
“NO ROOM AT THE INN!” reads a statement from DHS on social media.
“[Hilton Hotels] has launched a coordinated campaign in Minneapolis to REFUSE service to DHS law enforcement. When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations. This is UNACCEPTABLE,” the agency continued.
“Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?” the statement concluded.
One of the screenshots of the email responses included a statement from the hotel specifically citing the presence of ICE agents as the reason for the cancellation.
“We have noticed an influx of gov reservations made today that have been made for DHS, and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property. If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation,” the email read, according to the screenshot.
In an email statement to Blaze News, a spokesperson for the hotel chain responded to the accusations.
“Hilton Hotels serve as welcoming places for all,” the statement reads.
“This hotel is independently owned and operated, and the actions referenced are not reflective of Hilton values,” the spokesperson added. “We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel and can confirm that Hilton works with governments, law enforcement, and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and inviting to everyone.”
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Some on social media responded by saying they would cancel their Hilton reservations and avoid the chain.
In a second statement emailed to Blaze News, a spokesperson for Hilton said the independently owned hotel apologized for the incident.
“We have been in direct contact with the hotel, and they have apologized for the actions of their team, which was not in keeping with their policies,” said the spokesperson. “They have taken immediate action to resolve this matter. Hilton’s position is clear: Our properties are open to everyone and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.”
Everpeak Hospitality, the owners of the Hampton Inn hotel, also posted a statement.
“Everpeak Hospitality has moved swiftly to address this matter as it was inconsistent with our policy of being a welcoming place for all,” the statement reads.
“We are in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated,” the statement continued. “We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted. We are committed to welcoming all guests and operating in accordance with brand standards, applicable laws, and our role as a professional hospitality provider.”
Editor’s note: This article has been edited after publication to include a statement from Everpeak Hospitality as well as a second statement from Hilton Hotels.
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Historic ICE hiring surge adds 12,000 as agency kicks off 2026 with major busts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested murderers, rapists, and other violent offenders over the first weekend of the new year, according to a press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced “a historic 120% increase in manpower,” stating that it has added over 12,000 new ICE officers and agents following a successful recruitment campaign that received over 220,000 applications.
“With these new patriots on the team, we will be able to accomplish what many say was impossible and fulfill President Trump’s promise to make America safe again,” the DHS stated.
A DHS press release highlighted 15 “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE over the first weekend of the new year.
‘Over the weekend, ICE arrested murderers, stalkers, rapists, and gang members.’
Jose Cano-Cruz, a Mexican national, was previously convicted of homicide and aggravated stalking in Muscogee County, Georgia.
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Jose Cano-Cruz. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Waheed Allah Mohammad, an Afghan national, was convicted of attempted murder and first-degree assault in Monroe County, New York. A 2009 NPR report stated that the then 22-year-old admitted to stabbing his 19-year-old sister, whom he reportedly described as a “bad Muslim girl” for trying to leave her family to start a new life in New York City.
Waheed Allah Mohammad. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE agents nabbed Carlos Danilo Barrera, a known Florencia 13 gang member from El Salvador. He was previously convicted of second-degree murder in Los Angeles, California.
Carlos Danilo Barrera. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal immigration officials detained Ruben Pulido-Cortes. The Mexican national was convicted of rape in Queens, New York.
Ruben Pulido-Cortes. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Leonel Rodriguez-Garcia, from Mexico, was also picked up by ICE agents over the weekend. He was convicted of kidnapping in Kern County, California.
Leonel Rodriguez-Garcia. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Uriel Segovia-Leon, a Mexican national, was convicted of battery resulting in serious bodily injury in Lake County, Indiana.
Uriel Segovia-Leon. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents arrested Duane Alando Spence from Jamaica. His criminal history includes a conviction for aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm in Miami, Florida.
Duane Alando Spence. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Patricio Hernandez-Gomez, a Mexican national, was convicted of first-degree unlawful imprisonment in Perry County, Kentucky. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Patricio Hernandez-Gomez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE arrested Mexican national Yessenia Monserrat Monje-Orozco. Her criminal history includes convictions for possession of prohibited ammo and a controlled substance, as well as vehicle theft in San Luis Obispo, California.
Yessenia Monserrat Monje-Orozco. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Thinh Troung Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, was previously convicted of armed robbery in Lexington, Oklahoma.
Thinh Troung Nguyen. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Federal agents arrested Esteban Reyes-Cortes, an illegal alien criminal from Mexico. He was convicted in Tallahassee, Florida, for battery and disorderly conduct and in Decatur, Georgia, for entering an automobile with intent to commit theft.
Esteban Reyes-Cortes. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Jose Antonio Poblete-Velasquez, from Chile, was convicted of burglary in Ventura, California. According to the Irvine Police Department, officers observed Poblete-Velasquez and an accomplice distract an elderly shopper at a grocery store to steal her wallet and phone. Police were surveilling the Chilean national following reports of a separate incident where credit cards from a stolen wallet were used to make several fraudulent purchases.
Jose Antonio Poblete-Velasquez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Immigration agents captured Luis Alberto Medel-Miranda, a Mexican national who was previously convicted for driving while impaired in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
Luis Alberto Medel-Miranda. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
Kevin Ruiz-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Honduras, was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in Bronx, New York.
Kevin Ruiz-Gonzalez. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
ICE also nabbed Harvy Gomez-Alaniz, from Nicaragua. He was previously convicted of evading arrest or detention in San Antonio, Texas.
Harvy Gomez-Alaniz. Image source: Department of Homeland Security
“The first year of the Trump administration marked record-breaking progress in removing criminal illegal aliens, and DHS will be doubling down on those accomplishments in 2026 with our more than 12,000 new officers and agents,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated. “Over the weekend, ICE arrested murderers, stalkers, rapists, and gang members.”
President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem “unleashed ICE to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets and out of our country,” McLaughlin added.
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White House reporter REVEALS the true story behind Trump’s ‘Biden-autopen portrait’
When the White House unveiled the Presidential Walk of Fame, which features a portrait of former President Joe Biden replaced with the image of an autopen, one reporter was especially excited to see it.
“Every time I walk by it, I laugh to myself because I helped the president decide whether or not he should hang that photo of the autopen in Joe Biden’s spot,” Daily Caller White House correspondent Reagan Reese told BlazeTV host John Doyle at AmFest.
“I interviewed the president in August. I sat down with him for an hour in the Oval Office, and in the middle of the interview, he says, ‘Have you seen the work I’m doing in the Rose Garden?’ I’m like, ‘No, Mr. President, I haven’t,’” she continues.
That’s when the president decided to show her.
“I walk out to the Rose Garden with him, and he’s showing me everything, and we walk back inside and he has assistants on hand, and he says to them, you know, ‘Go show Reagan the portraits; get Reagan the portraits,’” she tells Doyle.
“So in walk his assistants, and they have these giant gold frames, and it’s George Washington, it’s Abraham Lincoln, it’s Ronald Reagan, who I told the president I’m named after. And I say, ‘Mr. President, are you going to hang Joe Biden’s portrait?’ And he was like, ‘All right, show her,’” she explains.
The president then had his assistants show her the photo of the autopen.
“He’s like, ‘I want to hang this photo in the place of Joe Biden’s portrait. Do you think I should do it?’ And I was like, ‘I think it would be very you, sir. I think you have to do it,’” she recalls.
“And he was like, ‘I think I will,’” she adds.
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Trump amplifies call for pausing ‘all legal immigration of any kind’
While almost all Republicans can agree that the United States needs to halt illegal immigration, more public figures have been raising the alarm about legal immigration through the “broken” visa system as well.
Early Monday morning, President Trump reposted on Truth Social a clip of an interview with Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) talking about immigration reform.
‘We need to restructure our legal immigration system to only allow people who love America, share American values, want to add value and assimilate to America, and don’t want any free stuff.’
The interviewer asked Fine what legal changes need to be made in Congress.
Photographer: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“I think immediately we need to stop it all — all legal immigration of any kind, because clearly it’s out of control. People coming here on tourist visas protesting the country; people claiming that they’re refugees but then scamming the system and going on vacation to the countries they supposedly fled from; people coming and taking American jobs,” Fine said.
He continued, “We need to restructure our legal immigration system to only allow people who love America, share American values, want to add value and assimilate to America, and don’t want any free stuff.”
Fine then referred to Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy’s Pausing All Admissions Until Security Ensured Act, which was introduced in mid-November.
The bill seeks to freeze all legal immigration until certain conditions are met, effectively forcing an open-ended moratorium on legal immigration.
When the bill was introduced, Roy said, “The problem isn’t just illegal immigration; it’s also legal immigration. While the Biden administration opened our borders and allowed millions to flood into our country, they also rubber-stamped millions more arriving through convoluted legal schemes, completely overwhelming the system.”
A White House spokesperson declined to give further comment when contacted by Blaze News.
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‘We are not doing this any more’: Rubio to strip billions in foreign aid from ‘NGO industrial complex’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. is moving away from funneling foreign aid funds through non-governmental organizations after criticism of fraud and incompetence.
Rubio explained that the U.S. government has used NGOs to try to accomplish foreign policy goals but that many have become far too costly and inefficient. The first benefactor of the new policy is the government of Kenya, which will receive foreign aid funds directly instead.
‘That is the model that we are breaking. We are not doing this any more. We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya either have no role to play …’
“The United States has spent billions of dollars over the years in helping with health strategies all across the world,” explained Rubio in a speech last month.
“What we learned over time, especially after coming here, is that oftentimes — and I am oversimplifying it, but this is an accurate description — what would happen is we would go to a country and say, ‘We’re going to help you with your health care needs.’ Then we would drive over to Northern Virginia somewhere, find an NGO, one of these organizations, give them all the money, tell them: ‘Go to this country and do their health care program for them,'” he added.
“That NGO would then take some percentage of that money for their overhead and administrative costs, and by the time it got down to it … only a percentage of the overall money ever actually reached the patients and the people on the ground that we were trying to help because of these costs,” Rubio said.
“This makes no sense,” he said.
The compact reached with Kenya includes the Kenyan government’s agreement to increase spending on health care by $850 million over the next five years.
“So why are we hiring American and international NGOs to go into other countries and run health care systems that are parallel and sometimes in conflict with the health care systems of the host country?” Rubio continued.
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“If we’re trying to help countries, help the country. Don’t help the NGO to go in and find a new line of business,” he added. “So that is the model that we are breaking. We are not doing this any more. We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya either have no role to play or have very little influence over how health care money is being spent.”
He concluded, “Bottom line is if you want to help a country, work with that country.”
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Elon Musk’s xAI inks new deal with War Department
Hot on the heels of a highly publicized dinner with Donald and Melania Trump, Elon Musk will continue his work with the federal government through a new agreement that will affect the daily workflows of Department of War employees.
Last July, Musk’s xAI entered a $200 million contract with the Pentagon to adopt advanced AI capabilities for sectors like national defense. Now, both the DOW and xAI are shedding light on some of the details surrounding their partnership in other areas.
‘xAI will make available a family of government-optimized foundation models.’
In late December, the DOW announced its internal AI platform would be expanded to include xAI for “frontier-grade” capabilities.
“This initiative will soon embed xAI’s frontier AI systems, based on the Grok family of models, directly into GenAI.mil. Targeted for initial deployment in early 2026,” a press release stated.
This will enable the “secure handling” of “Controlled Unclassified Information” in the daily workflows of government employees, who will also gain access to “global insights” on X, which will allegedly provide a “decisive information advantage.”
However, there is no indication what those insights include.
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Photo by Didem Mente/Anadolu via Getty Images
The xAI company announced in its own statement that it would be providing access to its AI models, “agentic tools, research platform, and API,” unlocking real-time insights.
The systems can be embedded into the daily work of the DOW’s some 3 million military and civilian employees, “from the Pentagon to the tactical edge.”
“xAI will make available a family of government-optimized foundation models to support classified operational workloads,” the press release added.
The DOW has also entered into contracts with other advanced technology companies like EdgeRunner AI and Palmer Luckey’s Anduril.
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Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The expanded partnership between the DOW and Musk came just days after xAI announced a new artificial voice generation application.
The Grok Voice Agent API operates essentially as a search engine optimizer that acts as a voice for a chatbot. The company released a series of sample voices, which “speak dozens of languages, call tools, and search realtime data.”
The product is currently being rolled out in Teslas to relay vehicle status, search directions, and control navigation.
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